COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State men’s hockey team fell 3-2 to fifth-ranked Western Michigan tonight at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The Buckeyes, who are on a five-game losing streak, drop to 10-9-1overall on the season, 7-6-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Broncos improve to 16-3-2 (9-2-2 CCHA).

This weekend was the first time OSU did not earn at least two points in a CCHA series this season. It is the first time the Buckeyes have been swept since losing two games at Northern Michigan last season (Nov. 12-13). Western Michigan wins the season series between the teams, 3-1.

David Gove put the Broncos on the board first, tallying his 17th goal of the season on the power play 4:48 into the second period. The Buckeyes tied the game less than four minutes later when T.J. Latorre scored his first goal of the season at the 7:23 mark. He completed a 3-on-1, assisted by Luke Pavlas and Jason Crain.

Western Michigan responded 10 minutes later, as Brent Rumble ripped a shot past goaltender Mike Betz at the 17:37 mark to give the Broncos a 2-1 lead entering the third period.

OSU came back in the third, as Pavlas notched his first goal of the season, tipping the puck past WMU netminder Jeff Reynaert at the 4:37 mark to knot the score at two. Pavlas was assisted on the power-play goal by Nick Ganga.

The Broncos recorded the clinching goal at the 14:54 mark of the final period, taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play situation. Jeff Campbell slipped a shot past Betz on a pass from Gove to give the Broncos the 3-2 win. Steve Rymsha earned the second assist on the play. Western Michigan was 2-for-7 on the power play, while Ohio State converted on one of its eight chances. Betz made 25 saves on 28 WMU shots. Reynaert made 21 saves for the Broncos.

Ohio State returns to action Friday-Saturday, Jan. 12-13 when they play host to Michigan. Faceoff is set for 7:35 both nights. (The Jan. 13 game time has been changed from 7:05 p.m.)